I had originally intended to climb Irvine and Mallory on Sunday, but was unaware of what danger lurked up the Meysan Lakes trail. Exhausted from battle, I napped soundly on the boulders of the first camp area around 10K before descending the gauntlet... Little did I know what was waiting for me...
Hey, I'm not that proud. I know when I get my ass kicked...
I was chased/attacked by the same one last week coming down from Lone Pine Peak. He flew up to eye level and chased me for fifty feet or so....my, oh my, you are lucky to get out with your life
I wonder if it's safe to take a troop of Boy Scouts up that trail this weekend? Wonder how he would taste with 11 herbs and spices?...................................DUG
Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time. ~Steven Wright
I know how you feel Laura. In Yellowstone in 2005, a buddy and I were hiking around the north end of the park (in preparation for our first Whitney hike). A couple of miles in, a grouse jumps out on the trail in between me and my buddy and starts coming after me. I had to go off trail just to get around it. It wasn't as aggressive as the one in the video but it sure did make the hike a little more exciting. We assumed that we stumbled across its nest.
yiks! But there was probably nothing wrong with the bird. According to biologists, it was most likely a male Grouse, defending it's nesting territory. The following article describes the behavior you witnessed/were a victim of...
It looks like it was molting - losing winter fluff.
I just got word that the FS has flyers up all over LP warning of this bird's behavior, asking: "Please do not chase, throw rocks, tease etc the protective mothers. She has been checked on and is just in protection mode."
I'd like to know in what way I provoked this attack, besides existing on the trail, and wearing an orange pack (according to Bob's article they see red like bull).
